Starting problems/damage to engine

[DART66GT]

Ive been experiencing a lot of trouble getting my slant to start, My question is could I be causing damage to the engine by cranking to much, Ive had a lot of short cranking spurts to check spark etc. Gas not being a great lubricant worries me as Ive never had to try this many times to start.

 

[A56]

Ive been experiencing a lot of trouble getting my slant to start, My question is could I be causing damage to the engine by cranking to much, Ive had a lot of short cranking spurts to check spark etc. Gas not being a great lubricant worries me as Ive never had to try this many times to start.

I had a similar starting issue. Yes, the gas will wash your cylinder walls quickly. Check your engine oil dipstick for a strong smell of gas. When in doubt change it as well as the filter.

 

[DART66GT]

I checked my oil, it smells a little like gas not strong though. I just changed the oil and added Lucas zinc additive before this problem. (Oil change with 0 miles)!

 

[A56]

I checked my oil, it smells a little like gas not strong though. I just changed the oil and added Lucas zinc additive before this problem. (Oil change with 0 miles)!

I guess it all depends on how long you were pumping gas into your motor. If you have "0'' miles on the oil should you be smelling gas?

 

[512Stroker]

Ive been experiencing a lot of trouble getting my slant to start, My question is could I be causing damage to the engine by cranking to much, Ive had a lot of short cranking spurts to check spark etc. Gas not being a great lubricant worries me as Ive never had to try this many times to start.

The question should be - Why is so hard to start - fix that issue and you will fix the gas in the oil issue.
Start with the basics.

 

[A56]

The question should be - Why is so hard to start - fix that issue and you will fix the gas in the oil issue.
Start with the basics.

Well, I believe he's trying to determine that, but worrying about the repercussions of his attempts while diagnosing. That seems rather basic.

 

[DART66GT]

The question should be - Why is so hard to start - fix that issue and you will fix the gas in the oil issue.
Start with the basics.

Your right I am working on the hard to start issue again tomorrow.

 

[67Dart273]

Keep it simple

Compression, spark, and fuel

ENOUGH compression to start. Consider a compression / leakdown check. Maybe there is something wrong in the valvetrain, AKA not enough lash, out of time cam

Spark, a good spark and in time. You can check timing on the starter. Check the plugs for wet/ dry/ fouled. Check the spark with a solid core wire. When cranked WITH THE KEY the coil should produce at least a 3/8" nice hot blue spark

Fuel, fresh. Don't take it for granted. Easy. take an empty oil "can" poke a hole in the screw on lid, and fill half? way with fuel. BANG!!! The residual oil and fuel makes the perfect priming mixture

And........you have a good battery? Is it charged? Does the starter spin it over briskly? Does it "sound" like it has compression, or sound as if it's just free spinning?